This is America

Even though my patriotism has been challenged by some troll, that's all right, because in this country you can speak what's on your mind even if you will not put your name to it.


As to it being a crime to play poker in your home, on your own computer and spend your money however you want. I think the real crime is why We have to go off-shore, with all the risks involved(and I'm more aware of the risks than most), to play an American card game. The problem is someone, either someone with their own economical reasons or a Dudley-Do-Right who thinks all gambling is evil, told our lawmakers that an activity was bad for the country.


Everytime a lawmaker tells tens of thousands Americans they can't do something they like and hurts no one, they had better have a damn good reason. What they have told us so far isn't even close.


Why can't I play internet poker right here on TWOPLUSTWO? The reason is they would throw Mason in Clark County Jail.


The F.B.I. has info on some former American bookmakers starting internet sports betting sites. Maybe even most sports betting sites may have ties to people that the F.B.I. doesn't like. Are all sports sites run by criminals? No, but I think the F.B.I. wants them closed down anyways.


What's this have to do with online poker? I know several of the people who run different poker sites. They are good, honest and hard-working Americans, but must conduct their business off-shore because of the policy, no matter how misguided, of their own goverment.


Most of the laws that have been made have had no effect at all. What is wanted now is to have our banks become informants on their own customers. After that, what will they want?


Poker has seen an explosion in popularity lately. This is good. There are now many places and ways to play this card game we love. We get to discuss poker with players from all over the world on sites like this. Most current players do not remember where we have come from in the last few decades. Do not not feel that it HAS to get better and better.


We are still viewed by most as criminal,drug-using, compulsive gamblers. Now, we can can add money laundering and terrorist supporting to the list. We could find ourselves back in cellars on friday night, lending money back and forth to keep the game going. Compare this with what we have right now. We can play on several sites, in many types of games with players from all over the world anytime we want, with little worry about being paid.


As to playing poker now, not honoring those that died in the World Trade Center, try to remember that many that help built those buildings like to play poker, along with many that worked there. I have yet to meet a fireman who didn't like to play poker, but I've only been playing poker 30 years.


So, to those that are using this tragedy to impose their beliefs on the rest of us under the color of patriotism, I fart in your general direction.


MS Sunshine

I love some of the recent gov't. quotes, especially the one's, where they "give us our freedom" what a joke, am I wrong, but aren't they there to protect our freedom, since when is it alright for them to dole it out like my tax dollars.

I've been downwind of your heat at the poker tables. I'm glad I'm on your side of the table on this one. Good post...Gene

Yep, its nutz MS. I still cant fathom the legal issues keeping California clubs from going ONLINE. How can the Commerce club operate, and yet not allow people to log in and play online?


So many levels of stupidity...how can it be legal live, but not electronically....dont make no sense.

It's all about the Benjamins....

I now of plenty hard working drug dealers that have served hard time for nothing more than providing their friends a high. Of course, the profits in the upline go to buy guns, to sponsor kidnappings, to wage war.


You sure are a patriot.

Why shouldn't you be allowed to do it?

Because the business cheats people, doesn't pay taxes, permits itself to wash drug and arms sales, and generally serves no good social purpose but to further the addictive passions of mentally ill people such as yourself.


The FBI is telling the truth. You, DaveMcG, and others are the conspiracist kooks that believe the owners of internet poker sites are honest, hardworker, ex-patriot Americans.

I'm a newbie poker player and a lurker.


I cannot agree more with your post MS. In Texas, it's legal to have "not-for-profit" state sponsored bingo halls where people significantly under the poverty line spend hundreds of dollars a week. The idea is that the money spent helps the impoverished and disadvantaged of our state. However, for folks with money to spend on poker, it's illegal to play if there's a rake. The idea is that the state does not want to be behind the promotion of degenerate gamblers.


I'm excited about my new hobby and intellectual pursuit, and disgusted by the latest attempts at my government to ban my online enjoyment. I'm amazed, almost sickened, that the latest attempts at banning online gambling are couched in terms of aiding and abetting terrorism.


That is all.


Hammuh

Your ex-patriot friends left it! I bet you woud try to say Robert Vesco was a hard working American, too.


You can leave it, too. So you don't like the fact that the USA has laws to protect the public from crooks.Too bad for you.

"You can leave it, too. So you don't like the fact that the USA has laws to protect the public from crooks.Too bad for you."


I think yours is a rather short sighted view. I think one of the wonderful and extraordinary facets of our country is my opportunity to express my displeasure at some of its proposed legislation. This country also gives you the opportunity to express your "love it or leave it" response.


There are many, many laws designed "to protect the public from crooks" that have very different intentions than those explained to the public. I'm a bankruptcy attorney, there's pending bankruptcy legislation that's "designed to protect the average consumers from bankruptcy abuse." I represent debtors and creditors. Many share my belief that the bill was purchased by large financial institutions to help their profit margin.


My analogy may not be exactly on point, so my point is exactly this:


Don't ridicule people and tell them to leave the country because their beliefs differ from yours. The freedom provided by this country allow them, and you, to share your thoughts and beliefs on various issues.


That is all.


Hammuh

Go live somewhere else, then.